For Wanderlei Silva, surprise anti-doping tests are 'against the Constitution'

Wand (photo) is retired and in litigation with Ultimate. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC

In May of last year, Wanderlei Silva He refused to take a surprise drug test and was banned for life from MMA by the Nevada Athletic Commission. Since then, the “Crazy Dog”, who announced his retirement from professional MMA, has been waging a real war against the UFC, to obtain the release of his contract with the organization, and also with the regulatory body, in order to reverse his punishment. . In yet another chapter of the battle, Wand did not shy away from the controversy and took a stand against tests without prior notice, even appealing for the possible unconstitutionality of the act.

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“They are taking away our rights as citizens. The exam must be taken on the day of the competition. You need to be at the same level as your opponent on fight day. This goes against the Constitution. There is no such law. They are not athletes and they don’t know what we go through to be able to fight and put on a show”, said Wand, in an interview with the North American website “MMA Fighting”. “I heard about some things the Commission did to fighters. It appears they showed up at 6:50am at a champion's house to test him. Who is this? Is it a joke? I also heard that they made a famous athlete take off all his clothes in front of everyone to test him. What is that? We are being violated,” he added.

Wand was expressly against the use of anabolic steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), but said he disagreed with the restriction on other medications, such as painkillers or anti-inflammatories. “If I’m going to fight today, I need to be clean today. There are anti-inflammatories and painkillers that are considered doping, but they are not. I'm against steroids, they're bad. But the fighter has the right to do what he wants outside of the competition period. It's his right. You can't meddle in his life and take his blood to see what he's up to. I am against any type of drugs and steroids, but athletes have the right to a private life. It needs to be clean on the day of the competition. Other than that day, it’s his life,” he decreed.

At 38, Wanderlei Silva He has a record of 35 wins, eleven losses, one draw and one unsuccessful fight. Former champion of the extinct PRIDE, Wand has not fought since 2013, when he knocked out Brian Stann in the main fight of UFC Japan. In Ultimate since 2007, Wanderlei did not make his official farewell to the octagon, as the duel against his rival coach on TUF Brasil 3 Chael Sonnen never got off the ground. Currently, the “Mad Dog” is trying to appeal against the Nevada Athletic Commission's decision to ban him forever from MMA in the state, and consequently in several other regions that follow the resolutions of the sport's main regulatory body.